Methods and apparatus for an image sensor
AssigneeSemiconductor Components Industries, LLC
InventorsNicholas Paul Cowley, Andrew David Talbot
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present technology provide a method and apparatus for an image sensor. In various embodiments, the apparatus provides a driver circuit connected to a plurality of electrically distinct pixel groups to provide the pixel groups with a control signal. A delay measurement circuit is connected to the driver circuit and at least one of the pixel groups to measure a time delay of the control signal. A row control circuit is connected to the delay measurement circuit to receive the measured time delay and, in turn, deliver, via the driver circuit, the control signal to all pixel groups in a single row substantially simultaneously.
Claims20
An image sensor, comprising:
- a pixel array comprising a plurality of rows, wherein each pixel row has a total number of pixels, wherein a first row comprises a plurality of pixel groups, wherein the plurality of pixel groups comprises a first pixel group and a second pixel group, and wherein the first and second pixel groups each include, within the first row, more than one pixel but less than the total number of pixels;
- and
- a plurality of row driver circuits, comprising:
- a first row driver circuit connected to a first end of the first pixel group and a first end of the second pixel group;
- and
- a second row driver circuit connected to a second end of the first pixel group and a second end of the second pixel group.
A method for operating an image sensor having a plurality of pixel rows, comprising:
- generating, via a control circuit, a first control signal and a second control signal;
- delivering, via a first driver circuit, the first control signal to a first end of a first pixel group and a first end of a second pixel group;
- and
- delivering, via a second driver circuit, the second control signal to a second end of the first pixel group and a second end of the second pixel group, wherein the first pixel group and the second pixel group share a common pixel row, wherein the common pixel row includes a total number of pixels, and wherein the first and second pixel groups each include, within the common pixel row, more than one pixel but less than the total number of pixels.
An image sensor system, comprising:
- a stacked image sensor, comprising:
- a first die comprising a plurality of pixel rows, wherein each pixel row has a total number of pixels, wherein each pixel row comprises a plurality of electrically distinct pixel groups, and wherein each pixel group includes, within its respective pixel row, more than one pixel but less than the total number of pixels;
- and
- a second die vertically stacked with the first die and comprising a control circuit, comprising:
- a plurality of driver circuits, wherein a first driver circuit is connected to at least one input of each pixel group from a respective pixel row and configured to transmit a control signal to each pixel group;
- and
- a delay measurement circuit in communication with the first driver circuit and configured to measure a time delay of the control signal;
- and
- a row control circuit configured to receive the measured time delay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.